Post on 12-Apr-2017
ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
The Rise and Expansion of Islam
570 C.E. –the birth of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.610 C.E. – the first revelation.622 C.E. – the Hijra to Madinah – the beginning of the expansion of Islam. The unification of Arabian peninsula under Islam.The expansion of Islam to North Africa, Andalusia, Central Asia, Asia Minor, Balkans and later to African continent, Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia.
The later part of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century C.E. - the emergence of Islamic civilization.Islamic civilization dominated the world of science and learning for nearly 600 years. The Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 C.E.) and the rule of Muslim Spain (755-1492 C.E.) – the “golden age”.
Rise of Islamic Civilization
Learning centers, e.g., Baghdad, Toledo, Seville – for Muslims and non-Muslims.“House of Wisdom” in Baghdad – a huge academic center, library and translation center.In Toledo, Muslim’ works were translated from Arabic into Latin especially in Astronomy, Mathematics, Medicine, Chemistry, Botany, Philosophy, etc.
Muslims’ Worldviews
What explain the extraordinary transformation of the Muslims (Arabs) from the state of ignorance (Jahiliyya Period) to where they became pioneers of learning and scientific progress?What happened in the seventh century, the beginning of that transformation? The emergence of Islam – the influence of Islamic teachings, which shaped Muslims’ worldview.
Muslims’ Worldviews:There is true meaning and purpose in life. The human on earth for an important mission, to fulfill responsibilities as ‘Khalifah’ of God. As such, laziness, apathy and fatalism are to be rejected.
To seek the pleasure of Allah and His reward. Scientific discoveries and constructive contributions which benefit the ummah and future generations will be rewarded by Allah.
Muslims’ Worldviews
Muslims’ Worldviews
To understand about the universe, nature and its resources and explore them for human use. In order to fulfill the role of khalifah of Allah on earth.
Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life. No distinction between the religious and material aspects of life.
Qur’anic Inducements to Study and Explore
Qur’an stimulates research, discovery, development and improvement of the quality of life.Encourages the understanding of natural laws. E.g:
“It is Allah Who alternates the Night and the Day: verily in these things is an instructive example for those who have vision!” (24:44)
Qur’anic Inducements to Study and Explore
The very first word of the Qur’an revealed to Prophet Muhamnmad s.a.w. was Iqra’, literally reads:
“Proclaim! (or Read)in the name of your Lord and Cherisher Who created.” (96:1)
Qur’anic Inducements to Study and Explore
The Qur’an considers it a sin not to use sense and reason as legitimate means of searching for truth.It admonishes those who make claims that are not based on knowledge, and those who blindly imitates their ancestors. E.g:
“For the worst beasts in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb, those who understand not.”
(8:22)
Qur’anic Inducements to Study and Explore
Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. on the attitude toward learning. E.g:
“Seeking knowledge is a mandatory duty on every Muslim.”“The priority of a scholar over a worshipper [without understanding] is like the superiority of the moon over other stars.”“Scholars are the heirs of Prophets.”
Misconceptions
The common expression “The Dark Ages” should be re-defined as the “European Dark Ages, at least in the period coinciding with the emergence of Islamic civilization (7th to 13th century C.E.).
The common notion that Roger Bacon was the ‘father of experimental method’ is not accurate.Born in 1214 C.E. Bacon came nearly six centuries after the Qur’an clearly called for this approach in learning.
Misconceptions
The claim that Muslims merely restored Greek classics. H. G. Wells – their [the Greeks] knowledge was “based on rudimentary speculations” and [they] were “poor in experimental apparatus.”N. Whitehead - the Greeks were over-theoretical and that for them, science was an offshoot of philosophy.
Unlike Muslims’ contributions, the Greek and Roman contributions were not based upon experimentation.
Muslims’ Contributions to Western Civilization
The European Renaissance was influenced by Islamic civilization.Europeans came to study at Muslim universities esp. in Muslim’s Spain.Arabic – the language of scientific research and advancement. Muslim science reached Europe before the 14th century (the beginning of Renaissance) – as early as 12th century C.E. Led to establishment of universities in Europe.
Muslims’ Contributions to Western Civilization
Muslim’s works, e.g. by Al-Razi (Rhases) and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) on medicine became primary medical reference in Europe for 600 years.Medicine, surgery, eye problems, mental illness, psychological therapy (e.g. music), symptoms of diseases, digestion problem, etc.Superiority of Muslim medicine over Western medicine (because of religious restriction).Astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, chemistry, etc.
Muslims’ Contributions to Western Civilization
Libraries, hospitals, observatories.Often times, Muslim discoveries were translated by Europeans who attributed such discoveries to themselves or incorporated them in their works without due credit.
Muslims’ Contributions
In various disciplines.Related to Islamic teachings; devotional acts such as prayers and pilgrimage; emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness; the finding of kiblah. It is unfortunate that most of the rich and voluminous works of Muslim scholars was lost or ruined during the assaults on the Muslim world.
Astronomy
One of the earliest sciences that attracted the Muslims’ attention – 3rd century C.E.Discovered the sun’s apogee (the points farthest from the earth in the orbit of the moon).Drew catalogues maps of visible stars (gave them Arabic names).Corrected the sun and moon table.Fixed the length of the year.
Astronomy
The first to use pendulum to measure time.
The first to build observatories. Fakhr Al-Din Al-Razi (13th century) – a theory of the movement of stars.
Astronomy
Ibn Younus (11th century) invented the sun dial (predicts sun spots, eclipses and appearance of comets).Abul-Wafa Al-Buzajani discovered the 3rd Lunar inequality (irregularity of the moon’s highest latitudes) – later attributed to Danish astronomer Tycho-Braho.Ibrahim Al-Fazari, Al-Batani (Albategnius), Al-Bairouni, Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Rushd (Averroes).
Chemistry
Jabir (8th century) discovered Nitric Acid and described the operations of distillation, sublimination, filtration, coagulation and crystalization.Abu Bakar Al-Razi (Rhases) (9th century) – the first to describe the properties of Sulphuric Acid.Abu-Musa Al-Kufi (8th century) – his works translated into Latin and French, some as late as the 17th century.English terms in chemistry originated from Arabic terms; camphor, alcohol, elexir, syrup.
Mathematics
While the numerals are believed to have originated in India, it was popularized by Muslims.Muhammad bin Musa Al-Khawarizmi (9th century), introduced system of symbols representing nine numbers and invented the concept of ‘zero’ (sifr) – 300 years before it was known in Europe (13the century).Also the founder of Algebra (from the Arabic word Al-Jabr).
Mathematics
Thabit bin Qurrah (13th century) – a theory of infinite numbers being part of another infinite series of numbers.Umar Khayyam (12th century) and Nasir Al-Din Al-Tusi (13th century) – magnitudes expressed in numbers.
Mathematics
Muslims – combined and re-organized numbers into “Arabic numerals”, the first to develop trigonometry in its post-Greek modern form and introduce the use of the Sine and Co-sine, invented the symbol to express any unknown quantity (x).
Physics
Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham (Alhazen) (11th century) – the greatest Muslim physicist (optics), wrote “Al-Manazir”.The science of optics and the inventions of microscopes, telescopes and cameras are indebted to him.Muslims’ invention of compass – for navigation.Abdul-Rahman Al-Khozaini (9th century)in “Mizan-ul-Hikmah” investigated on hydrostatics and improvements in the use of water wheels.(e.g. gravities of liquids and solids).
Medicine
Fakhr-Al-Deen Al-Razi (Rhases) (9th century) wrote an immense medical encyclopedia, the most important medical reference in Europe for 600 years - gynaecology, obstetrics and opthalmic surgery.Areb Ibn Saad (10th century), wrote systematically on pediatrics.Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (11th century) wrote a five volume work, “Canon (or Precepts) of Medicine” – physiology, hygiene, pathology, therapeutics and materia medica.
Medicine
Abul Qasim (late 11th and early 12th century) and Ibn Rushd – works on surgery.Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoan) – works on bronchotomy, dislocations, fractures and treatment of skin diseases.Ibn Al-Nafees (13th century) – works on psychopathalogy and psychological treatment and circulatory system.Mobile and permanent hospitals.Hospitalization was free and universally available.
Pharmocology
Stemmed from a belief that every disease has its antidote.Encouraged Muslims to do scientific research in search of an antidote –became an independent science.Ibn Al-Baytar, Rashid Al-Din Ibn Al-Suri, Jabir Ibn Hayyan, Al-Khindi, Al-Razi and Al-Biruni.Nitric acid, sulfuric acid, nitro-hydrochloric acid, potassium, silver, oxide, mercury, etc.
History
Al-Tabari (9th century), Al-Mas’oodi (10th century), Ibn Al-Atheer (13th century), Ibn Khaldun (14th century)“Al-Muqaddima”.
Geography
Al-Idrisi (12th century) – the theory of earth is round.Caliph al-Ma’moon (9th century) – ordered the drawing of a large map of the world.The work of Ibn Rushd (Averroes) partly led to the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus.Al-Mas’oodi (10th century) wrote an encyclopedia arranged by geographical order.Al-Khawarizimi, Abdul Lateef, Al-Yaqooti, Abul-Hassan Al-Marakishi.
Reconstruction of the Oikumene (inhabited world) Ancient Map from Herodotus circa 450 BCE
Political Science
Al-Farabi (10th century) wrote about a model city.Al-Mawirdi (late 10th and early 11th century) wrote “Al-Ahikam Al-Sultaniyyah” (Book of the Rules of Power).
Art and Architecture
Diverse due to the fusion of various cultures which came under Muslim rule. Yet, there are some elements of unity based on Islamic teachings.The influence of Muslim caligraphy, Islamic-style mosaic.
Al-Hambra and the Cordova Mosque in Spain.
Al-Hambra
Al-Hambra
The Badshahi Masjid, literally the 'Royal Mosque', was built in 1674 by Aurangzeb. It is one of Lahore's best known landmarks, and epitomizes the beauty and grandeur of the Mughal era.
Badshahi Mosque
TAJ MAHALBuilt by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan at Agra, India. Completed in 1648 C.E.An "Elegy in Marble" or a "Dream" in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Taj Mahal
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Islamic Calligraphy
Agriculture
Al-Awwam (12th century) described 585 plants and explained the cultivation of several fruits.Abul-Abbas Al-Nabati studied plants.Improved the methods of irrigation, used organic fertilizers, improved the breeds of cattle.Introduced peaches, apricots, cotton, rice, banana, sugar cane to the West.
Industry
Advancements in the manufacturing of fabrics (silk, cotton, wood), leather, glass, steel.Applied chemistry in making drugs and perfumes.